Saint Louis slams Waianae

The Saint Louis quarterback put on a clinic, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns on 15-for-21 passing, while running for an additional score in the Crusaders' 44-6 runaway win over Waianae last night in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championship semifinals at Aloha Stadium.

The Crusaders squeaked by the Seariders 10-7 in the state semis last year, and lost Mamiya to a collarbone injury during the game. That forced him to miss the championship against Kahuku (a 7-6 loss) a week later.

There would be no such trouble this time for the top-ranked Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions (11-0). Now Mamiya intends to make up for lost time.

"Everybody did great tonight, we did a good job preparing for this game," the senior said. "(Next week) it's my last game, so I'm going to go all out and compete."

Mamiya hit Billy Stutzmann for two touchdowns on two passes -- including a brilliant 47-yarder over Stutzmann's shoulder in the third quarter -- and Tamatoa DeMello for a third score. Austin Wakinekona had a 10-yard TD on the ground and backup quarterback Jeremy Higgins capitalized on a blocked punt late, scoring on a 1-yarder to complete the rout.

Saint Louis' last title came in 2002, following a decade of dominance in the Prep Bowls of the '90s under Cal Lee. Coach Delbert Tengan, the leader of the 2002 squad, thinks the jury is still out on how this year's team stacks up against his previous title team.

"It feels great, it's awfully hard to get back here," Tengan said. "We had a couple moments where we didn't get back in the state tournament for a couple years, so getting back to the state finals was a challenge for us."

Saint Louis takes on OIA champion Leilehua in the championship game Friday at 8 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

The frustration mounted for Waianae (9-4), which has had its season come to an end in the semifinals the last three years. The Seariders, going without either of their two starting quarterbacks for most of the game, managed only three first downs on 52 yards of total offense in the first half and fumbled six times.

"Saint Louis looks like the Saint Louis of old, speed-wise and execution-wise," said Waianae offensive coordinator Bryant Ginoza, who filled in for coach Daniel Matsumoto for a second consecutive week. "Everybody thought before that they were only about offense, but it was defense through all the Prep Bowls. The defense did it for them."

Saint Louis notched three sacks and six tackles for loss, and lineman Marcus Gonsalez recovered two Searider fumbles. Marcus Umu and Casey Kamakana both intercepted B.J. Jelf in the fourth quarter.

As for Mamiya, Tengan is just thankful that his starter is there -- he's seen what happens when college teams such as Oregon (Dennis Dixon) and Washington (Jake Locker) go without their top playcaller, not to mention high school teams such as his Crusaders of last year and this year's Seariders, who missed Ben McQuown with an illness.

"We're a lot more confident (than last year)," Tengan said. "That's the key component in our (flex option) offense. To have Micah back, I feel a lot better. He was pretty sharp tonight."

In terms of flat-out beatings, this one was right up there, and Ginoza came away impressed.

"Are they beatable? Anybody is beatable, but that's a good question."

Besides the formidable Crusaders, Waianae, the Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up, had to contend with the absence of McQuown and Jelf. McQuown battled illness throughout the week, and Jelf missed practices, meaning their playing time would be diminished.

"I could've played, (but) I understand why I couldn't suit up," McQuown said. "I was frustrated. There were some scrambling opportunities. I could've made some big plays."

Senior RJ Tacgere-Bailey -- listed as a receiver -- got the most action in his stead, going 5-for-9 for 62 yards and Waianae's lone touchdown, a 15-yarder to Jahsiah Bales in the fourth quarter against the Crusaders' second-team defense.

"They did pretty good without their starting quarterback," Mamiya said. "It helps to have one quarterback who's there (the whole year)."